Mesquite Specialty Hospital

Juneteenth - On June 19, 1865, freedom finally came for the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas. That day, which would become known as Juneteenth, the Army arrived to enforce what had already been the law of the land for two and a half years — the Emancipation Proclamation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while memory problems are typically one of the first warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; other warning signs should not be ignored:
• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood and personality

MRI & MSH teamed up with Sharing Life Community Outreach for a canned food drive to help families in need in our community.

By 2030, it’s predicted that more than 70 million people will be 65 years or older, and that 85-90% of them will have a driver’s license.

While driving helps older adults stay mobile and independent, the risk of being injured or killed in a traffic crash increases as you age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults’ driving abilities may be affected by changes in vision, physical functioning, and the ability to reason or remember, as well as some diseases and medications. The good news is, however, that older adults are more likely to have safer driving behaviors than other age groups.
Some suggestions for older drivers include:
• Always wear a seat belt.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review medications and possible side effects.
• Have your eyes checked annually.
• Plan out your route ahead of time.
• Drive when conditions are safest.
• Avoid distractions while driving.
• Leave a large following distance between you and the car in front of you.

Do you know the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia? The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Dementia is a general term for the deterioration of memory, the decline of thinking, or the inability to make decisions. There are many types of dementias.

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia. It accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases, making it the most common form.

Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are a major public health issue. Join the global conversation to raise awareness of these diseases.

If you suspect someone may be having a stroke, BE FAST and call 911. Any of the symptoms below could be a sign of stroke:
• B – Balance. Loss of balance or dizziness.
• E – Eyes. Change in vision.
• F – Face. Face droops.
• A – Arm. Weakness or numbness in arms.
• S – Speech. Trouble speaking or confusion.
• T – Time to call 911.
The sooner someone receives treatment for a stroke, the better the prognosis following the stroke will be.

A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. There are various risk factors for a stroke, some are manageable while others are beyond an individual’s control.

Risk factors that can’t be changed include age, race, gender, and family history. However, manageable risk factors include:
• High blood pressure
• Atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Poor circulation
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
Talk to your healthcare provider to discuss your stroke risks and management of them.

Happy National Hospital Week! Thank you to the healthcare workers for your commitment to our community! We are celebrating all week.

Join us in celebrating our employees as they provide long-term acute and critical care services to patients who need continued medical care beyond their original hospital stays. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to providing exceptional healthcare!

Our nurses are one in melon!! 🤗
Today, we celebrated with sliced watermelon and watermelon lemonade mocktails🍉 🍋‍🟩

Sweet treats for our wonderful nurses! 🐝 They’re unbeelievable! 💛🖤

Happy Nurses Week to all the incredible nurses out there! 💙 Your dedication, compassion, and hard work make a world of difference every single day!

A stroke is a type of brain attack that occurs when the blood vessels in the brain are blocked or burst, depleting the brain of oxygen-rich blood and causing brain cells to die.

There are different types of strokes, including:
• Ischemic stroke – caused when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked. This type of stroke accounts for about 87% of all strokes.
• Hemorrhagic stroke – caused when a weakened blood vessel ruptures.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – caused by a temporary clot. It’s considered a “warning stroke” and should be taken seriously.

National Nurses Month
Nurses play a significant role in healthcare delivery and community outreach. This month recognizes their vast contributions and positive impact they make on patients.

Star Wars Day at work. May the fourth be with you! 😊

National Critical Care Awareness and Recognition Month
Celebrating the unwavering and inspiring commitment of critical care clinicians!

American Stroke Month
Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. The good news is stroke is largely preventable, treatable, and beatable.

If you live with Parkinson’s disease, exercise is vital to help maintain mobility, strength, balance, and flexibility. The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project shows that people with Parkinson’s disease who begin exercising early after diagnosis for a minimum of 2.5 hours a week experience a slower decline in quality of life. An exercise program should include:

• Aerobic Activity
• Strength Training
• Balance, Agility, Multitasking
• Flexibility
For detailed recommendations, visit:
https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/exercise-recommendations

The kidneys are two fist-sized, bean-shaped organs that sit on either side of your spine below the ribs. They balance electrolyte levels, filter waste, and remove excess fluids from your blood, which are then eliminated in your urine. All of the blood in your body flows through the kidneys several times each day to be cleansed.

If your kidneys aren't working correctly, it can lead to serious health problems. In fact, several kidney diseases can be life-threatening. Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, involves a gradual loss of kidney function which can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes to build up in the body.
During the initial stages of chronic kidney disease, there may be few symptoms or signs because the kidneys can compensate for the lost function. However, early warning signs may include:
o Nausea and vomiting
o Muscle cramps
o Itching
o Loss of appetite
o Swelling in the lower extremities
o Changes in volume of urine output
o Difficulty sleeping
o Breathlessness
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms.

For individuals living with Parkinson's disease, taking medications at the appropriate time is crucial to maintaining quality of life. Failure to take medications on time or missing doses can lead to the quick onset of symptoms, usually within 30 minutes of the missed dose. Parkinson's medication works by increasing dopamine levels in the brain or serving as a substitute for dopamine. If dopamine levels are insufficient, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease become apparent.

To ensure timely medication intake, consider setting alarms on phones or smartwatches, requesting family members to remind you of your medication schedule, or using a pillbox with sections for each day and time.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease that affects about 1 million people in the United States.

National Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month
More than 5.6 million Americans live with limb loss and limb difference, affecting people of all backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, genders, races, ages, and other demographics. This month of recognition creates awareness of this community and how it thrives.

Occupational therapists work with patients to design personalized interventions that support daily activities following disabling injuries or illnesses.

The impact of occupational therapy on the quality of life and pain self-efficacy of patients with chronic diseases is significant. According to a study conducted in 2023, individuals who received occupational therapy services demonstrated better pain self-efficacy and overall quality of life in comparison to those who didn’t receive such services.

Wounds resulting from amputations or surgeries are susceptible to infection as the skin opening can allow germs or dirt to enter the bloodstream. Infections can cause tenderness or pain, fever, redness, swelling, and/or discharge. These infections can lead to further complications if not treated properly. If complications like these occur after an amputation, a long-term acute care hospital – like ours – will focus on caring for the wound and maintaining the residual limb.

April is Occupational Therapy Month!
Celebrating our occupational therapists who help patients advance their health, well-being, and quality of life!

Please see this message of appreciation from our President and CEO in celebration of Doctors’ Day 2024!

Dr. Sohail Parekh Memorial Service - January 24, 2024
You will never be forgotten.

Patient Success is Our Success - It sounds like Rebecca has been through quite a journey. Rebecca is retired and has been living with her daughter. They decided to move from Arizona to North Carolina. While in the process of moving Rebecca was experiencing skin issues on her legs. While passing through Texas, the skin issue was worse which caused Rebecca to be admitted to Dallas Regional Medical Center. She was told by the physician she had sepsis. While at DRMC for a week, the attending physician, Dr. Acharya, recommended long-term care at Mesquite Specialty Hospital.
Since Rebecca has been at MSH the staff members, all who have attended to her. The physical therapy team has made an impact on her recovery. Maria pushes Rebecca to work hard on recovering. Rebecca is ready for her normal routine. Rebecca defines success as getting back to a normal life and a new life in North Carolina. She is excited about exploring North Carolina when she gets there, her new home, and she can't wait to see her cats.

According to the Harvard Medical School, head injuries from falling are a common cause of hospitalization and even death for individuals 65 years or older. To help make a senior’s space safer:

• Remove home hazards like throw rugs, extension cords, extra items on stairs or in hallways
• Include extra lighting in living spaces and make the on/off switches easily accessible
• Install assistive devices like handrails, grab bars, and raised toilet seats
• Regularly review medications with a doctor
• Help the individual stay as physically active as possible
• Encourage the wearing of sensible shoes